Automobile radiator shell



June 27,1933a R. l. scHoNlTzER 1,915,476

AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR SHELL Filed Jan. 5, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 27, 1933. R, l, SCHONITZER 1,915,476

AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR SHELL Filed Jn. 5, 1951 2 sheets-sheet 2 l. im

Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

RUDOLPH I. SCHONITZER, OF AUBURN, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO MANNING c C0., OI"

' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR SHELL lApplication led January 5, 1931. Serial No. 506,565.

This invention relates to improvements in automobile radiator shells and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In some of the modern automobiles7 to enhance the appearance and thereby increase y the attractiveness thereof in a manner stimuviceversa. This masking and unmasking of -the different parts of the shell is not only a slpw and laborious task but it materially increases to cost of making such shells.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a radiator shell having at least two different finishes which may b e easily produced without the heretofore essential masking and unmasking wh-ereby the cost of making said shells is quite materially reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a two finish shell of this kind wherein the shell proper is defined about the core opening, by a set-back fiange to form a seat for a frame or border of a finish different from that of the shell proper, and to which seat the frame or border is secured in a manner'rmt detectable or visible from the front of theladiator shell as a whole.

These `objects vof the invention as well as others, together with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a radiator shell embodying myinvention in the position it occupieswith respect to associated parts of an automobile. f

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the same as taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of a finishing frame or border for the core opening of the shell.

Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale through the front part of one side' of the shell with the finishing frame or border in position thereon, the plane of the section being taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3. f i

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the accompanying drawings and especially to Fig. 1 thereof, 1 indicates the front end portion of a. side frame member of an automobile, and 2 indicates the front fenders thereof each supported by a fender bracket 3 secured in the usual manner to the associated side frame member. That end 4 of said side frame forward of the associated bracket is curved downwardly to provide what is commonly termed the horn of the frame member.

5 indicates as a whole the radiator of the kautomobile disposed substantially in the plane of the brackets 3 and 6 indicates the usual engine enclosing hood. Said hood comprises the top and sides 7 and 8 respectively that are hinged together in the usual manner and engage at their front ends with the rear part of the radiator as a whole as will later appear.

The radiator includes a core 9 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.' This core is supported from the frame of the automobile in the usual manner and is enclosed at its top and sides by a radiator shell body 10 best shown in Fig. 3. This shell is of an inverted, substantially U-shape and comprises arounded top member 11 and side members 12-12 that terminate at the bottom in the plane of the top surface of the side frame members 1 1.

' Each side member when considered in horizontal cross section, comprises a radially curved side wall 13 that is formed at its rear margin with an inwardly offset fiange 14. The front marginof this side wall is formed as a rounded corner 15 that terminates in an inwardly offset fiange 16 disposed at substantiallyv a suitableiangle to that of the flange 14. The rounded top of the shell body `when considered in vertical section comprises a top wall 17 with a front rounded corner 18 that terminates in an inwardly offset flange 19. The rear margin of this top wall is formed with an olfset flange (not shown) that forms a continuation of the flange 14 of the side members of the shell body to receive the front marginal parts of the top and side members 7 and 8 respectively of the hood. In this respect the flange 19 forms a continuation of the flange 16 of the side members 12 of the bod i The top wall 17, midway between the side members 12-12 of the shell body, is provided with an upright tubular filler neck-2O formed to receive a cap 20, At the front of the top wall in line with the neck and forming a continuation of the flange 19 is a flat field 21 that terminates at its top in a flat rib 22 extending up to the neck 20.

On the interior surface of the side members of the shell are inwardly extending brackets 23 (see Fig. 2) which are connected to the core 9 of the radiator in any suitable manner. Preferably the entire shell body thus far described is finished off in the same color of enamel or the like, as is the hood and this may be readily done by spraying before assembly in place upon the core.

Associated with the shell body above described is a border or frame 24 preferably finished as bright metal to present a contrast in appearance to that of said shell body so as to enhance and make the shell as a whole more attractive. Such a border frame as shown in Fig. 4 comprises a top member 25 and side members 2G-26 and a center bar 27 formed to an outlne that will fit againstthe flanges 19 and 16 of the shell body. The top member 25 is formed at its junction with the center bar 27, with a flat escutcheon surface 28 to receive the usual name plate for the automobile. Projecting upwardly from this escutcheon surface is an extension 29 that fits upon the inwardly offset part 21 of the shell and the rib 22 to cover the same.

The side members 26 and top member 25 of the border or frame are each of a channel shaped cross section and at certain intervals are reinforced on the inside with blocks or lugs 30. When the border or frame is seatedV against the inwardly offset front flange 16 of the shell body, screws 31 pass through openings therein from the rear and into threaded openings 311* in said blocks or lugs to secure the border or frame as a whole in place upon the shell body, as is best shown in Fig. 5.

The center bar 27 of the border frame extends into a plane below that of the extremities of the side members and overhangs a middle rib 27a of an apron 32 supported from the frame of the automobile below the radiator shell. This apron includes a center panel 32l bound by top, side and bottom ribs 33, 34, 34 and 35 respectively, the side ribs joining and forming continuations of the side members 26 of the border or frame 24. This apron which curves downwardly and forwardly is provided at its sides Wit-hlateral valance like extensions 36 that overhang and embrace the top and inside of the horns 4 of the automobile frame.

The center panel of the apron is ribbed perpendicularl)7 as shown to harmonize and similate the appearance of extension for loufvers 37 forming the shutter front for thc radiator as a whole.

Preferably the panel of the apron is finished to correspond with said louvers as is the top bead 33 while the side ribs and bottom rib of the apron are finished in bright metal.

Thus the apron has the appearance of an integral part or continuation of the radiator shell and imparts thereto greater vertical height whereby an attractive appearanceis presented.

Vhile in describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the various parts thereof, the same is to be considered as illustrative only so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims. y

claim as my invention 1. In combination with a radiator shell comprising a body having a radiator core opening at the front defined in part by an inwardly offset flange, a border frame of channel shape cross section conforming to a part of said opening, blocks secured to the rear sideof said border frame and engaged with said flange and means for connecting said flange and blocks together for holding said frame in position with respect to said shell body.

2. In combination with a radiator shell comprising a body having a radiator core opening at the front defined in part by an inwardly offset flange, a border frame of channel shape cross section conforming to a part of said opening, blocks secured to the rear side of said border frame and engaged with said flange and screws extending through said flange from the rear and threaded into said blocks.

3. In combination with a radiator shell comprising a body of the desired surface finish and having a radiator core opening at the front and comprising a top and side members, a frame comprising top and side members of a different finish providing a border for the top and sides of saidopening, and an apron associated with the bottom end of said opening and formed with a beading providing a continuation of said frame and having the same surface finish thereof.

4. In combination with a radiator shell comprising a bodyof the desired surface finish and having a radiator core opening at the front and comprising a topand side members, a frame comprising top and side members of a different finishA providing. a border for the top and sides of said opening, and an apron associated with the bottom end of saidv opening, and formed with a beading providing a continuation of said frame and having the same surface finish, said apron also having a beading at the top defining the bottom of said core opening.

n testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 27 day of December1930.

RUDOLPH I. SCHONITZER 

